In an automated production line, the 
time taken for each individual operation 
becomes a critical factor for success. 
Reducing the time by even just a few 
seconds in a stage repeated thousands 
of times per shift can result in a 
significant increase in productivity, as 
well as greater process continuity and 
a reduction in errors. It is in this context 
that industrial fastening is taking on an 
increasingly strategic role: no longer a 
simple assembly operation, but a key 
stage, designed to integrate with the 
entire production process.
In recent years, the evolution of 
manufacturing towards increasingly 
automated production models has also 
affected the world of fastening. Whilst 
in the past the focus was mainly on the 
performance of the individual tool, today 
the emphasis has shifted to the entire 
process. This includes the automatic 
feeding of fastening systems, integration 
with robots and automated cells, control 
of installation parameters, data collection 
and traceability of operations, which are 
increasingly important in the design of 
production lines.
However, the aim is not merely to increase 
production speed. Automation actually 
improves the repeatability of operations, 
Fastening the Future with Automation
Rivit S.R.L., the Italian fastening experts, discuss how automation and digitalisation are 
transforming industrial fastening worldwide.
reducing the variability typical of manual 
processes and helping to maintain 
consistent quality standards. In sectors 
such as the automotive, household 
appliances, industrial metalworking and 
machinery manufacturing industries, 
where thousands of fastening operations 
are carried out every day, even small 
improvements can have a significant 
impact on overall efficiency.
Increasingly, tools are being designed 
to interface with anthropomorphic 
robots, programmable logic controller 
(PLC) systems and supervisory 
software, becoming an integral part of 
the production line rather than simply 
independent tools. The new automated 
modules developed by Rivit also find 
application in this context, enabling the 
simultaneous installation of multiple 
fasteners, thereby reducing lead 
times and errors in highly repetitive 
production runs.
Alongside the automation of installation 
operations, process control is also 
playing an increasingly important role. 
Automation, in fact, does not merely 
concern the operational process itself: 
at the same time, there has been 
a growing need to verify that every 
installation is carried out correctly. For 
this reason, process control systems 
(capable of monitoring installation 
parameters, recording work cycles and 
flagging any anomalies) are becoming 
increasingly important. Rivit, for example, 
has developed a sophisticated system 
designed to introduce monitoring 
and control functions into fastening 
operations (CONTROLRIV), responding to 
the growing demand for traceability from 
the manufacturing industry.
Rivet feeders, designed to make the 
installation process even more efficient, 
also contribute to this development. 
The blind rivet and rivet nut feeders 
developed by Rivit automatically transfer 
the fastener to the tool, without the 
operator having to load it manually at 
every cycle. This technology makes the 
process smoother, reduces downtime and 
improves the ergonomics of workstations, 
particularly in applications characterised 
by high production volumes.
“In this sense, fully automated 
lines are changing the way we 
think about fastening,” 
explains the team at Rivit.
The Rivit company headquarters in Bologna, Italy
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